Southport Murder Suspect Axel Rudakubana to Face Trial Next Year

Court artist drawing by Elizabeth Cook of Axel Rudakubana, 18, appearing by video link from Belmarsh prison at London's Westminster Magistrates' Court, London, on Oct. 30, 2024. Elizabeth Cook/PA Wire

Axel Rudakubana, who is accused of killing three young girls in a knife attack in Southport in summer, will go on trial at the beginning of next year.

Rudakubana appeared for a plea and trial preparation hearing at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday via video link from Belmarsh prison. Throughout, he covered his face with his grey sweatshirt, with a single prison officer behind him.

The 18-year-old, of Old School Close in Banks, Lancashire, is changed with three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder, and the possession of a knife.

He is also charged with possession of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing to commit an act of terrorism, and production of the biological toxin, ricin.

The defendant was not asked to enter any pleas to the 16 charges he faces. He did not speak twice when asked to identify himself at the beginning of the short hearing.

Around 20 family members of the victims were watching from the public gallery.

Terror and Ricin Charges

The three counts of murder relate to the killings of Alice da Silva Aguiar, 9, Bebe King, 6, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, who were fatally stabbed during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class at The Hart Space in a small business park in Hart Street, Southport, Merseyside, shortly before noon on July 29.

The attempted murder charges relate to instructor Leanne Lucas, businessman John Hayes, and eight other children who cannot be named for legal reasons.

Last month, Rudakubana was charged under the Terrorism Act 2000 for possessing a PDF file entitled “Military Studies in the Jihad Against the Tyrants, The al Qaeda Training Manual,” some time between Aug. 29, 2021 and July 30, 2024.

The 18-year-old was charged with producing ricin under the Biological Weapons Act 1974. The ricin was produced on or before July 29, police said.

According to Merseyside Police, the Southport attack has not been declared terror-related.

Defendant Silent

Mr. Justice Goose told the court that Rudakubana had “chosen” not to speak.

The judge ordered a further preparatory hearing to take place on Dec. 12, adding, “It is important the court and the public know what the issues are in this trial and the 12th of December hearing will allow that.”

Goose remanded the defendant to custody. Addressing him directly, he asked: “Mr. Rudakubana can you hear me? Just raise your hand if you can hear me.”

The 18-year-old did not respond.

The judge said: “Well I know you can hear me because the officer behind you said I can be heard. You are next required to attend on December 12.”

The trial is listed for Jan. 20, 2025, with the judge saying it is expected to last four to six weeks.

PA Media contributed to this report.